View source for HMAS Balikpapan

{{Short description|1971 Balikpapan-class landing craft heavy}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox ship
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
 |image=HMAS Balikpapan 2011 cropped.jpg
 |image_caption=HMAS ''Balikpapan'' in 2011
 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career
 |country=Australia
 |flag={{Shipboxflag|Australia|naval}}
 |namesake=[[Battle of Balikpapan (1945)]]
 |builder=Walkers Limited
 |laid_down=1 May 1971
 |launched=15 August 1971
 |commissioned=8 December 1971 (Army)
 |recommissioned=27 September 1974 (Navy)
 |decommissioned=12 December 2012
 |motto="Bravely in Action"
 |nickname=
 |honours=*'''Battle honours:'''
          *[[International Force for East Timor|East Timor]] 1999-2000
 |status=Awaiting disposal
 |notes=
 |badge=[[File:HMAS balikpapan crest.png|Ship's badge]]
 }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
 |class= {{sclass|Balikpapan|landing craft heavy|1}}
 |displacement=316 tons
 |length={{Convert|44.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}
 |beam={{Convert|10.1|m|ft|abbr=on}}
 |draught=
 |propulsion=Two Caterpillar diesels
 |speed={{Convert|10|kn}}
 |range=
 |endurance=
 |capacity=180 tons of vehicle cargo or 400 soldiers
 |complement=13
 |sensors=
 |EW=
 |armament=2 × 0.50 inch machine guns
 |notes=
 }}
}}
'''HMAS ''Balikpapan'' (L 126)''' was the [[lead ship]] of the {{sclass|Balikpapan|landing craft heavy|4}} of heavy [[landing craft]] (LCH). Ordered in 1969, ''Balikpapan'' entered service with the [[Australian Army Water Transport Squadron]] in late 1971. After this, the decision to place all seagoing Army vessels under the control of the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN) saw ''Balikpapan'' transferred and commissioned in 1974; the last of the eight-vessel class to enter RAN service. ''Balikpapan'' was placed in reserve in 1985, but was reactivated three years later. During late 1999 and early 2000, the vessel was part of the [[INTERFET]] peacekeeping taskforce, and made additional deployments to East Timor in 2001 and 2006. On 12 December 2012, ''Balikpapan'' was retired from RAN service.

==Design and construction==
{{Main|Balikpapan-class landing craft heavy}}
The eight-vessel ''Balikpapan'' class was ordered as a locally manufactured replacement for the [[Australian Army]]'s [[LSM-1-class landing ship medium]] and [[ALC 50]] landing craft.<ref>Gillett, ''Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946'', pp. 79, 125</ref> They are {{convert|44.5|m}} long, with a beam of {{convert|10.1|m}}, and a draught of {{convert|1.9|m}}.<ref name=Wertheim26>Wertheim (ed.), ''The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World'', p. 26</ref> The [[landing craft]] have a standard displacement of 316 tons, with a full load displacement of 503 tons.<ref name=Wertheim26/> They are propelled by two G.M. Detroit 6-71 diesel motors, providing 675 brake horsepower to the two propeller shafts, allowing the vessels to reach {{convert|9|kn}}.<ref name=Wertheim26/> The standard ship's company is 13-strong.<ref name=Wertheim26/> The ''Balikpapan''s are equipped with a Decca RM 916 navigational radar, and fitted with two {{convert|7.62|mm}} machine guns for self-defence.<ref name=Wertheim26/>

The LCHs have a maximum payload of 180 tons; equivalent to 3 [[Leopard 1]] tanks, 13 [[M113 armoured personnel carrier]]s 23 quarter-tonne trucks, or four [[LARC-V]] amphibious cargo vehicles.<ref name=Wertheim26/><ref name=Gillett79>Gillett, ''Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946'', p. 79</ref> As a troop transport, a ''Balikpapan''-class vessel can transport up to 400 soldiers between a larger amphibious ship and the shore, or embark 60 soldiers in six-berth caravans for longer voyages.<ref name=Gillett79/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/balikpapanclasslch/ |title=Balikpapan Class Heavy Landing Craft (LCH), Australia |date=2014|website=Naval Technology|publisher=|accessdate=27 September 2014}}</ref> The vessel's payload affects the range: at 175 tons of cargo, each vessel has a range of {{convert|1300|nmi}}, which increases to {{convert|2280|nmi}} with a 150-ton payload, and {{convert|3000|nmi}} when unladen.<ref name=Wertheim26/> The flat, box-like keel causes the ships to roll considerably in other-than-calm conditions, limiting their ability to make long voyages.<ref name=Gillett79/>

''Balikpapan'' was laid down by [[Walkers Limited]] at [[Maryborough, Queensland]] on 1 May 1971, launched on 15 August 1971, and assigned to the [[Australian Army Water Transport Squadron]] on 8 December 1971.<ref name=RAN>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-balikpapan |title=HMAS Balikpapan |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |accessdate=23 December 2012}}</ref><ref>Wertheim (ed.), ''The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World'', p. 25</ref> After completing sea trials, ''Balikpapan'' began full operational service in 1972, with a combined RAN/Army crew.<ref>Gillett, ''Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946'', p. 124</ref>

==Operational history==
In 1972, the decision was made that all Army seagoing vessels would be transferred to the RAN, with the Army retaining control of small landing craft and harbour support vessels.<ref name=Gillett79/> ''Balikpapan'' was transferred to the RAN and commissioned on 27 September 1974; as the other seven LCHs had commissioned into the RAN on completion, ''Balikpapan'' was the last to enter naval service.<ref name=Gillett80>Gillett, ''Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946'', p. 80</ref>

''Balikpapan'' was one of the first ships to depart for Darwin to [[Operation Navy Help Darwin|render assistance after Cyclone Tracy]] hit that city in December 1974, sailing on 26 December from Brisbane with sister ship {{HMAS|Betano|L 133|2}}.<ref name=SPCDisasterRelief>Sea Power Centre, ''Disaster Relief''</ref>

During May and June 1984, ''Balikpapan'' completed a {{convert|5,400|nmi|adj=on}} transit from Brisbane to Penang, transporting vehicles, equipment, and personnel to [[RAAF Butterworth]].<ref name=Swinden22>Swinden, ''Heavy Lifting for Four Decades'', p. 22</ref> Departing on 28 May, the vessel visited Cairns, Darwin, Jakarta, and Singapore, before unloading at Penang between 23 and 25 June.<ref name=Swinden22/> The landing craft returned via Singapore, Benoa, Darwin, and Cairns, and reached Brisbane on 7 August; the longest ocean voyage undertaken by a vessel of her class.<ref name=Swinden22/>

''Balikpapan'' was paid off into reserve at Cairns on 18 September 1985; one of three landing craft decommissioned for economic reasons.<ref name=Gillett80/><ref name=Swinden22/> She was recommissioned in 1990, although initially only for use as a training vessel attached to the [[Royal Australian Naval Reserve]] Darwin Division.<ref name=Swinden22/> The vessel was seconded to [[Operation Beachcomber]] on several occasions between 1991 and 1995 for hydrographic duties.<ref name=Swinden22/>

''Balikpapan'' was deployed to [[East Timor]] as part of the Australian-led [[INTERFET]] peacekeeping taskforce.<ref name=StevensStrength>Stevens, ''Strength Through Diversity'', p. 15</ref> The landing craft was attached to INTERFET on two occasions; first from 20 September to 13 October 1999, then from 8 December 1999 to 15 January 2000.<ref name=StevensStrength/> The ship was later awarded the [[battle honour]] "East Timor 1999-2000" in recognition of her service.<ref name=newhonours>{{cite news |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours |title=Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours |date=1 March 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613184920/http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours |archivedate=13 June 2011 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |accessdate=23 December 2012}}</ref><ref name=honourslist>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf |title=Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours |date=1 March 2010 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614064156/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf |archivedate=14 June 2011 |accessdate=23 December 2012}}</ref> From January to September 2000, the vessel was docked in Cairns for a life-of-type-extension refit.<ref name=RAN/> Post-refit, ''Balikpapan'' returned to East Timor to operate in support of [[United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor|UNTAET]]: November to December 2000, February to March 2001, May to June 2001, and July to August 2001.<ref name=RAN/>

''Balikpapan'' returned to East Timor in 2006 during [[Operation Astute]].<ref name=RAN/>

This vessel participated in Exercises Triton Thunder and Cassowary during May 2012. ''Balikpapan'' operated off [[Dundee Beach, Northern Territory|Dundee Beach]] in the [[Northern Territory]] in concert with units from the [[Indonesian Navy]] and [[Fleet Air Arm (RAN)|RAN Fleet Air Arm]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/Minor_war_vessels_exercise_off_Darwin |title=Minor war vessels exercise off Darwin |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |date=22 May 2012 |accessdate=27 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601003422/http://www.navy.gov.au/Minor_war_vessels_exercise_off_Darwin |archivedate=1 June 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/Indonesia_and_Australia_complete_patrol_boat_exercise |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805084140/http://www.navy.gov.au/Indonesia_and_Australia_complete_patrol_boat_exercise |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 August 2012 |title=Indonesia and Australia complete patrol boat exercise |date=16 May 2012 |accessdate=27 May 2012 }}</ref>

==Decommissioning and fate==
''Balikpapan'' was decommissioned at Darwin on 12 December 2012.<ref name=RAN/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/news/hma-ships-balikpapan-and-betano-decommissioned |title=HMA Ships Balikpapan and Betano decommissioned |date=13 December 2012 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |accessdate=19 December 2012}}</ref>

The Philippine Navy has shown interest in acquiring the ship, after the Australian government donated two other [[sister ship]]s, {{HMAS|Brunei|L 127|6}} and {{HMAS|Tarakan|L 129|6}} in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.janes.com/article/48454/australia-to-donate-heavy-landing-craft-to-philippines |title=Australia to donate heavy landing craft to Philippines |date=29 January 2015 |publisher=IHS Jane's 360 |accessdate=4 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.janes.com/article/53270/philippines-edges-closer-to-australian-landing-craft-procurement |title=Philippines edges closer to Australian landing craft procurement |date=29 July 2015 |publisher=IHS Jane's 360 |accessdate=4 November 2015}}</ref> It was later confirmed that the Philippine Navy is acquiring three more LCH from Australia, including ex-HMAS ''Balikpapan'', at a token price.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.janes.com/article/55587/australia-confirms-philippines-acquisition-of-three-ex-ran-landing-craft |title=Australia confirms Philippines' acquisition of three ex-RAN landing craft |date=27 October 2015 |publisher=IHS Jane's 360 |accessdate=4 November 2015}}</ref>

==Citations==
{{reflist}}

==References==
;Books
*{{cite book |last=Gillett |first=Ross |title=Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946 |year=1988 |publisher=Child & Associates |location=Brookvale, NSW |isbn=0-86777-219-0 |oclc=23470364}}
*{{cite book |last=Stevens |first=David |title=Strength Through Diversity: The combined naval role in Operation Stabilise |series=Working Papers |volume=20 |year=2007 |publisher=Sea Power Centre - Australia |location=Canberra |isbn=978-0-642-29676-4 |issn=1834-7231 |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Working_Paper_20.pdf |accessdate=6 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910150114/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Working_Paper_20.pdf |archivedate=10 September 2012 }}
*{{cite book |title=The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems |editor=Wertheim, Eric |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, MD |year=2007 |edition=15th |isbn=978-1-59114-955-2 |oclc=140283156 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TJunjRvplU4C |page=26}}

;Journal articles
*{{cite journal |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/index.php/Publication:Semaphore_-_Issue_14%2C_2004 |title=Disaster Relief&nbsp;— Cyclone Tracy and Tasman Bridge |publisher=Sea Power Centre |journal=Semaphore |date=December 2004 |volume=2004 |issue=14 |accessdate=18 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213160636/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/index.php/Publication:Semaphore_-_Issue_14%2C_2004 |archive-date=13 February 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
*{{cite journal|last=Swinden |first=Greg |date=April 2013 |title=Heavy Lifting for Four Decades: The Navy's Landing Craft Heavy |journal=The Navy |publisher=Navy League of Australia |volume=75 |issue=2 |pages=20–24 |issn=1322-6231}}

{{Portal bar|Australia|Royal Australian Navy|Engineering}}
{{Balikpapan-class LCH}}
{{RAN amphibious warfare ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Balikpapan (L 126)}}
[[Category:Balikpapan-class landing craft heavy]]
[[Category:1971 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Queensland]]